Side-squeeze container

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a plastic or paperboard container having an interior chamber, an open end, and a closed end for receiving and securing a relatively flat packaged insert having a cut out area adapted to hook over a catch mechanism. The container comprises a top piece including a locking element and a bowing slit. The container further comprises a bottom piece that may include a guide element. The top piece and the bottom piece are attached to one another to form the container. The locking element and the guiding element are oriented within the interior chamber in such a manner as to cooperate to receive and retain the one or more inserts. The one or more inserts can be released by applying inward pressure on each side of the container causing the top and bottom pieces to bow away from one another thereby releasing the locking elements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Child-resistant plastic shell package containers for blister package inserts (or the like) are made almost entirely from molded plastic. The child-resistant aspect generally results from a catch mechanism integrated into the top and/or bottom pieces of the plastic shell. The catch mechanism is adapted to cooperate with a cut out area on the blister pack to ‘lock’ the blister pack in place within the plastic shell container. Releasing the blister package from the catch mechanism usually involves applying a force to a tab portion of the plastic shell that is positioned above (or below) the catch mechanism. The tab portion is deflectable to the interior of the plastic shell where it contacts and causes the blister pack cut out area to become disengaged from the catch mechanism. The user can then slide the blister pack out of the plastic shell exposing its contents.

The tab portion ‘unlocking’ mechanism is but one possible embodiment of a lock release mechanism. This disclosure presents an alternative lock release mechanism that can be used in lieu of or as a complement to existing lock release mechanisms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is a container having an interior chamber, an open end, and a closed end for receiving and securing a relatively flat packaged insert having a cut out area adapted to hook over a catch mechanism. The container comprises a top piece made from a plastic material including an angled locking post protruding away from the inner surface of the top piece that may contain a bowing slit extending substantially the width of the top piece and positioned near the closed end of the container proximate to the locking post. The container further comprises a bottom piece made from a plastic material including a sloped guide rib protruding away from the inner surface of the bottom piece in which the depth of the guide rib extends substantially the depth of the interior chamber. The top piece and the bottom piece are attached to one another to form the container. The angled locking post and the sloped guide rib are oriented within the interior chamber in such a manner as to cooperate to receive and retain the insert having a cut out area. The insert can be released by applying inward pressure on each side of the container causing the top and bottom pieces to bow away from one another thereby releasing the cut out area from the locking post.

Also disclosed is a paperboard container having an interior chamber, an open end, and a closed end for receiving and securing a relatively flat packaged insert having a cut out area adapted to hook over a catch mechanism. The container comprises folded panels, including a top panel that may contain a bowing slit extending substantially the width of the top piece and positioned near the closed end of the container proximate to the locking post and that may have a top piece that may be made from a plastic material including an angled locking post protruding away from the inner surface of the top panel attached thereto. The container further comprises a bottom panel that may have embossing, debossing or attached guide ribs that extend the depth of the interior chamber. The top panel and the bottom panel may be folded to form the outer shell from a single blank in such a manner that the locking post and the guide ribs are oriented within the interior chamber in such a manner as to cooperate to receive and retain the insert having a cut out area. The insert can be released by applying inward pressure on each side of the container causing the top and bottom pieces to bow away from one another thereby releasing the cut out area from the locking post.

Also disclosed is a container having an interior chamber, an open end, and a closed end for receiving and securing a traveler sled adapted to hold one or more blister cards or trays. The container may be paperboard or plastic and may have a locking mechanism that prevents the traveler from moving and that may be released upon pressure exerted upon the sides of the package.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an outer view illustration of a plastic shell container containing a blister package insert.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a plastic shell container containing a blister package insert.

FIG. 3 is a paperboard version of the shell container containing a blister package insert.

FIG. 4 is a paperboard version of the shell container containing a blister package insert in an open position.

FIG. 5 is paperboard version of the shell container containing multiple blister package inserts.

FIG. 6 is a paperboard version of the shell container containing multiple blister package inserts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The typical plastic shell configuration can be augmented to provide another method of releasing the lock mechanism between a blister package insert and the plastic container. A user can apply an inward force on each side of the plastic container that will force the top and bottom pieces to move away from one another. When a sufficient force is applied in the appropriate general area in conjunction with a novel design element, a locking mechanism integrated into the plastic shell and a blister package lock cut out area adapted to cooperate with the locking mechanism can be separated to allow for removal of the blister package from the plastic shell.

FIG. 1 is an outer view illustration of a plastic shell container 10 containing a blister package insert 30. The plastic shell container 10 is generally comprised of a top piece 12 and a bottom piece 14 of molded plastic. The top 12 and bottom 14 may include reciprocal snap-fit elements (not shown) that allow the two pieces to be joined together to form a complete plastic shell having a substantially open end 18. The other end of the assembled plastic shell 10 is closed 16. The top 12 and bottom 14 pieces include curved edges that provide a depth element to each piece. Upon assembly, these generally curved edges form the sides 20 of the plastic shell 10. The sides 20 are shown in this embodiment to have curved edges. The curve of the sides 20 assists in deflecting the top 12 and the bottom 14 pieces away from one another 52 when an opposing inward force 50 is applied to each side.

A blister package insert 30 can be insert into the open end 18 and advances substantially the length of the plastic shell 10. It will eventually hook onto a catch mechanism within the plastic shell 10 and become locked within the interior of the plastic shell 10.

Also shown on the surface of the top piece 12 is a bowing slit 22 that runs substantially the width of the plastic shell 10. The bowing slit 22 is positioned near the closed end of the plastic shell 10 proximate to a locking post that is positioned within the plastic shell 10. While not shown, a second bowing slit can be placed in the same location on the bottom piece 14. The use of a second bowing slit enhances the flexibility of the plastic shell when an opposing inward force 50 is applied to the sides about where the bowing slit(s) are positioned.

It should be noted that the use of the terms top and bottom are for illustrative purposes only. The elements described as being present on the top piece can be positioned on the bottom piece and vice-versa.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a plastic shell container 10 containing a blister package insert 30. In this illustration, the top 12 and bottom 14 pieces have been inverted from that of FIG. 1. In addition to the elements shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 illustrates several features and elements that are present on the surfaces of the top 12 and bottom 14 pieces that define the inner surface when the plastic shell 10 is assembled. A blister package insert 30 is shown fully locked within the interior of the plastic shell 10. The blister package insert 30 includes a blister package lock cut out (catch mechanism) 32 that is adapted to slide over and hook onto an angled locking post 24 shown protruding inward from the inner surface of the top piece 12.

The bottom piece 14 may include a blister package guide rib 26 that ensures the blister package insert 30 is maintained at a particular position within the assembled plastic shell 10. The main purpose of the blister package guide rib 26 is to ensure that the leading edge of the blister package insert 30 will contact the angled portion of the angled locking post 24.

The bottom piece 14 further includes at least one stop post 28 (or similar stop mechanism) positioned between the angled locking post 24 and the closed end 16 of the assembled shell package 10. The stop mechanisms can also be integrated into the top piece 12.

To insert and lock a blister package insert 30 within an assembled plastic shell 10, a user inserts the blister package insert 30 into the open end 18. The leading edge of the blister package insert 30 is the edge which is closest to the blister package lock cut out 32. As the blister package insert 30 enters the chamber it first encounters the sloped blister package guide rib 26. The slope of the blister package guide rib 26 will urge the blister package insert 30 upward as it continues to move toward the closed end 16 of the plastic shell 10. The depth of the blister package guide rib 26 is almost the full depth of the interior depth of the plastic shell 10. There is enough room remaining for the relatively flat blister package insert 30 to slide comfortably.

The blister package insert 30 continues until its leading edge encounters the angled portion of the blister package angled locking post 24 that protrudes downward from the inner surface of the top piece 12. The depth of the blister package locking post 24 is such that it extends past the top line of the blister package guide rib 26. The blister package insert 30 rides down along the blister package angled locking post 24 until it clears.

The blister package lock cut out 32 is oriented along the same line as the blister package angled locking post 24. Thus, when the blister package lock cut out 32 clears the blister package angled locking post 24, the entire blister package insert 30 hooks onto the blister package angled locking post 24. The blister package insert 30 can not be removed from the plastic shell 10 without un-hooking it from the angled locking post 24.

To release a locked blister package insert 30, the user squeezes the sides 20 of the plastic shell 10 in the general area near the bowing slit(s) 22 or just in front. The squeezing action causes the top 12 and bottom 14 pieces to move or bow away from one another. The bowing slit 22 assist in allowing the top 12 and bottom 14 pieces to outwardly bow. The overall integrity of the plastic shell is less than if the bowing slit 22 were not present. However, the integrity of the assembled plastic shell 10 is not nearly affected to the point of being detrimental to the primary purpose of the plastic shell 10.

Since the angled locking post 24 is a part of the top piece 12 it must also move away from the bottom piece 14. When the entire package has sufficiently bowed, the blister package lock cut out area 32 will clear the angled locking post 24 and the blister package insert 30 can be grasped by the user and pulled outward.

The top 12 and bottom piece 14 may be snapped together. By snapping these pieces together rather than welding there may be more flexibility in the plastic shell that will allow the top 12 and bottom 14 to bow such that the blister package lock cut area 32 will clear the angle locking post 24. It is to be understood other locking mechanisms may be used such as friction or ledges to lock the blister in place and this same application of side squeezing in the designated areas will allow the blister to be removed. It is to be understood that snapping top 12 and bottom 14 together and adding cut out 22 may result in a more flexible plastic package and make it easier for the user to unlock and remove the blister. It is to be understood that the locking mechanism does not need to be in the center of the package but may be centrally located such that the bowing of the top 12 and bottom 14 will move the locking element sufficiently away from the part of the blister on which it catches. It is further to be understood that the area that is appropriate to side squeeze 50 may be located approximate to the locking element. More particularly that the side squeeze element 50 may be in the same third of the package as the locking element. It is to be understood that the side squeeze element 50 may be in the same half of the package as the locking element.

It is to be understood that the outer container may also be made of blow molded plastic, a single piece or plastic-like material, or plastic material welded together rather than snapped and that such construction would function in a similar manner as that described above. Based on manufacturing preferences and patient needs the outer package may contain one or more blisters. It is also to be understood that the outer package may be made of paperboard with pressure point on the side that will unlock the package in a manner similar to the plastic packages discussed previously.

FIGS. 3-6 provide illustrations of a paperboard shell container 110 containing one or more blister package insert 130. The paper shell container 110 is generally comprised of a top piece 112 and a bottom piece 114 and at least two side panels 120 and one or more end panels folded and sealed together to form a package with a closed end 116 and open end 118. When an opposing inward force 150 is applied to side panels 120 the top 112 and bottom 114 pieces of paperboard container 110 deflect away 152 from one another. The pressure deflection may be oval/elliptical like in shape as it spreads across the board deflecting a wider portion of the central area and a narrower portion of the edge areas. Accordingly there may be a benefit to having the locking mechanism centrally located within the package. However, the locking element may be located to either side of the package if needed based on manufacturing preferences.

The paperboard outer sleeve container will function much like the plastic outer sleeve container. In particular, the locking mechanism will interact with the blister such that the part of the locking mechanism on the interior side of the top 112 and or bottom 114 panels will pull away from the part of the locking mechanism connected to the catch element that is in turn connected to the blister 130 thus allowing the catch element and the blister to move within the package and allow the blister to be at least partially removed from the outer sleeve. It is further to be understood that the area that is appropriate to side squeeze 150 may be located approximate to the locking element. More particularly that the side squeeze element 150 may be in the same third of the package as the locking element. It is to be understood that the side squeeze element 150 may be in the same half of the package as the locking element.

One or more blister package inserts 130 can be inserted into the open end 118 and advance substantially the length of the paperboard outer shell 110. A catch mechanism will hold the one or more blisters within the paperboard outer shell 110. The concept of having an internal mechanism to hold more than one blister card on a dagger is known and such an internal mechanism would unlock in same manner as the single blister device disclosed herein, however, based on manufacturing preferences, the mechanism holding multiple blisters may slide in and catch on the catch mechanism rather than each individual blister.

The paperboard container 110 may have one or more bowing slits like the plastic containers bowing slit 22 that runs substantially the width of the outer shell, but such additions may not be necessary as paperboard material is more flexible than plastic material. The paperboard may be treated. The paperboard may be tear resistant.

It is believed that the present invention includes many other embodiments that may not be herein described in detail, but would nonetheless be appreciated by those skilled in the art from the disclosures made. Accordingly, this disclosure should not be read as being limited only to the foregoing examples or only to the designated embodiments. 

1. A container having an interior chamber and one open end and one closed end for receiving and securing one or more relatively flat packaged insert(s) having a cut out area adapted to hook over a catch mechanism, the container comprising a top piece and a bottom piece, wherein the top piece and the bottom piece are attached to one another to form a container having one or more interior chamber(s) and one open end and one closed end in which the angled locking post and the sloped guide rib are oriented within the interior chamber in such a manner as to cooperate to receive and retain the relatively flat packaged insert having a cut out area adapted to fit over the angled locking post that can be released by applying inward pressure on each side of the container causing the top and bottom pieces to bow away from one another thereby releasing the cut out area from the locking post.
 2. The container of claim 1, wherein the top piece and bottom piece are composed of paperboard.
 3. The container of claim 1, wherein the top piece and bottom piece are composed of plastic.
 4. A container having an interior chamber and one open end and one closed end for receiving and securing one or more relatively flat packaged insert(s) having an area adapted to connect with a catch mechanism, the container comprising a top piece and a bottom piece and a locking element, wherein the top piece and the bottom piece are attached to one another to form a container having one or more interior chamber(s) and one open end and one closed end and further wherein the locking element has a first piece and a second piece and the first piece is located on the inside of the top piece and the second piece is located on the catch element and further wherein the locking element can be released by applying inward pressure on each side of the container causing the top and bottom pieces to bow away from one another thereby releasing the first piece of the locking element from the second piece of the locking element.
 5. The container of claim 4 wherein the locking element is centrally located.
 6. The container of claim 4 wherein the top piece and bottom piece are paperboard.
 7. The container of claim 4 wherein the top piece and bottom piece are plastic.
 8. A container having an interior chamber and one open end and one closed end for receiving and securing a relatively flat packaged insert having a cut out area adapted to hook over a catch mechanism, the container comprising: a top piece made from a plastic material including: an angled locking post protruding away from the inner surface of the top piece; and a bowing slit extending substantially the width of the top piece and positioned near the closed end of the container proximate to the locking post; a bottom piece made from a plastic material including: a sloped guide rib protruding away from the inner surface of the bottom piece, the depth of the guide rib extending substantially the depth of the interior chamber, wherein the top piece and the bottom piece are attached to one another to form a container having an interior chamber and one open end and one closed end in which the angled locking post and the sloped guide rib are oriented within the interior chamber in such a manner as to cooperate to receive and retain the relatively flat packaged insert having a cut out area adapted to fit over the angled locking post that can be released by applying inward pressure on each side of the container causing the top and bottom pieces to bow away from one another thereby releasing the cut out area from the locking post.
 9. The container of claim 8 wherein the top piece and the bottom piece are snap-fit to one another. 